WOODCLIFF LAKE—The Borough Council on June 17 unanimously approved nearly $6.25 million in new bonding, which includes increasing a previous bond ordinance by $2.7 million to repair damage caused by Tropical Storm Ida, bringing the total bond to $5.7 million.
The council approved a separate, $1.3 million, bond ordinance for various public improvements.
And the council approved a bond ordinance for $2.26 million to fund an emergency appropriation for tax appeals and prior tax appeal settlements.
According to borough administrator Tom Padilla the borough is expected to recover up to 90% of the Ida-related $5.7 million in improvements from Federal Emergency Management Agency funds.
The newly revised $5.7 million ordinance allocates $754,000 for the reconstruction of various stormwater outfalls and for sidewalk, guide rail, embankment, fencing, stormwater pipe, spillway, and riprap wall improvements near the Old Mill Complex entranceway.
It also appropriates $4,946,000 for replacing the Werimus Lane Sanitary Sewer Pump Station, which was damaged by Tropical Storm Ida, including site and related sanitary sewer improvements.
The revised bond total is $5.7 million, consisting of $5.428 million in bonds and $272,000 in aggregate down payments.
Also at the June 17 meeting, the council approved Ordinance 24-10, authorizing $1.357 million in bonding for various public improvements.
This includes:
- $160,000 for acquiring automated license plate reader equipment for the Police Department.
- $325,000 for a new garbage truck for DPW with a gross vehicle weight rating exceeding 15,000 pounds.
- $277,000 for various improvements to public buildings and facilities.
- $43,000 for new communication and signal systems equipment for the Fire Department, including radio equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus equipment.
- $22,000 for new Fire Department turnout gear.
- $5,000 for new or additional furnishings at Old Mill Swim Pool, including lounges, tables, chairs, and umbrellas.
- $25,000 for improvements at various athletic fields.
- $50,000 for engineering on various road improvements.
- $450,000 for improvements to the train station parking lot.
The total $1.357 million bond issue includes $1.292 million in authorized bonds or notes and $65,000 for aggregated down payments.
The council also approved Bond Ordinance 24-12, authorizing $2.26 million in bonds or notes for an emergency appropriation for tax appeals and tax appeal case refunds.
The ordinance states that the borough “is hereby authorized to (A) fund the $1.02 million emergency appropriation for tax appeals previously made pursuant to a resolution adopted by the Borough Council on Nov. 20, 2023, and (B) refund the aggregate amount of $1,236,255 resulting from cases brought before the Tax Court of New Jersey, presently owed by the Borough to the owners of various properties for taxes levied by the Borough.”